Final answer:
Patient A is likely to have hypothyroidism due to symptoms of weight gain, cold sensitivity, low heart rate, and fatigue. Patient B is likely to have hyperthyroidism due to symptoms of weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, while hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive. Based on the symptoms provided:
- Patient A: Patient A is likely to have hypothyroidism because the symptoms include weight gain, cold sensitivity, low heart rate, and fatigue. These symptoms are consistent with an underactive thyroid gland.
- Patient B: Patient B is likely to have hyperthyroidism because the symptoms include weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms are consistent with an overactive thyroid gland.